A sign greets people in the Siksika First Nation, east of Calgary near Gliechen, Alta., on June 29, 2021. After 20 years, the Siksika Nation reinstated its self-governing police service after the nation and provincial government successfully brokered a deal with the federal minister of public security. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh The Siksika Nation has reached an agreement with the provincial and federal governments to restore the First Nation’s self-governing police service after 20 years. The agreement follows a historic settlement with the federal government that provided $1.3 billion in compensation to the Siksika Nation to resolve outstanding land claims. The nation, located about 130 kilometers east of Calgary, had its own police service from 1992 to 2002. However, the 10-year agreement with the federal and provincial governments that established the agency was not renewed due to a lack of funding. Calls for Indigenous policing have grown over the years, with growing concerns about long response times. “That critical hour can be the difference between survival or going to the morgue,” Siksika Chief Ouray Crowfoot said in an interview Friday. While long response times have been an issue for the First Nation, Crowfoot said having its own police service will also deter crime and foster a greater sense of community. “Not seeing the police as the enemy, not seeing the police as them, but seeing the police as one of us — I know Siksika will be a safer place,” Crowfoot said. “It’s not just about taking back our policing, it’s about creating that quality of life.” Crowfoot said Siksika is starting to train new officers and hopes to have the police department fully operational within the next two years. He added that since 2018, Siksika’s public safety task force has “pushed hard” to take back the police service. In a statement Friday, the office of the federal minister of public safety said the transition to self-governing policing for the Siksika nation is the first in Canada in 14 years. Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Sandro said the province “strongly supports First Nations self-governing policing.” “The Siksika Nation is ready and prepared to take this critical step and become the fourth self-governing First Nation police agency in Alberta,” he said in a statement Friday. The ruling United Conservative Party has proposed creating a provincial police force to better serve rural communities in Alberta. Shandro’s office said if it happens, the province will work with First Nations and municipalities to ensure local police agencies have more resources. Crowfoot said the recent stabbing of a Saskatchewan First Nation and nearby village earlier this month underscores the importance of community policing. James Smith Cree Nation Chief Wally Burns said having a police force in the community would help prevent stabbings that killed 10 people and injured 18 others. Two suspects also died. Burns also said the response time after the attacks was too slow. the RCMP said it took 35 minutes for officers dispatched from Melfort, Sask., to reach the first scene 45 kilometers away.
